ESWI Pandemic Preparedness Workshop
for Public Health Officials

First ESWI Influenza Workshop for Public Health Officials

Over the past years, the field of influenza preparedness has been confronted with major new developments, including the development of antiviral resistance, the development and licensing of vaccines for pre-pandemic storage or usage and of course the H5N1 pandemic threat. Public health officials need to remain on top of these evolutions, in order to constantly adapt and update national and international pandemic planning strategies. For that reason, ESWI organized its First Influenza Workshop for Public Health Officials on 23 January 2009 in Brussels. The minutes of the meeting are available here.

Second ESWI Influenza Workshop for Public Health Officials

On 25 September 2009, over 30 public health officials representing 15 European countries assembled in Hotel Le Châtelain in Brussels at the occasion of ESWI's Second Pandemic Preparedness Workshop for Public Health Officials.

In a highly interactive meeting, speakers and attendees focused on the threat of the current Mexican flu pandemic and the different approaches in the various European countries. Practical, ethical and strategic challenges were discussed. The outcome of these debates are part of the workshop's minutes, available here.

Third ESWI Influenza Workshop for Public Health Officials

The third ESWI Influenza Workshop for Public Health Officials was held on 22 January 2010 and focused on the pandemic preparedness measures taken by national governments in Europe, which were then the subject of very critical debate. ESWI felt that such a discussion had to be based on correct and science-based information. Providing this unbiased information was hence the aim of the workshop. The lectures and discussions have been compiled in a widely distributed and well-appreciated publication. This publication is available here.